Alex Lees & Axar Patel are set to make their Durham first-class debuts at Sophia Gardens in the Specsavers County Championship clash against Glamorgan (11am start).
The pair joined up with their new team mates earlier this week & are included in a 13-man squad travelling to Cardiff today.
Former Yorkshire batsman Lees joined Durham on loan for the remainder of the season earlier this week, with a permanent three-year deal to follow that, while Indian all-rounder Patel’s deal for the remainder of the Specsavers County Championship was firmed up before the start of the season.
Lees will wear the number 19 shirt, with Patel donning the number 20.
There are returns to the squad for Cameron Steel, Michael Richardson, Gareth Harte, Matt Salisbury & Josh Coughlin, while Nathan Rimmington is rested ahead of the Vitality Blast quarter-final. Mark Wood is not considered as he builds back up towards four-day match fitness.
Tom Latham remains with the Club for next week’s Vitality Blast quarter-final but is not involved over the next four days as Patel takes the single allotted overseas place allowed in four day cricket.
Squad vs Glamorgan (19-22 August)
Paul Collingwood (c), Cameron Steel, Alex Lees, Will Smith, Graham Clark, Gareth Harte, Michael Richardson, Stuart Poynter (wk), Axar Patel, Josh Coughlin, Barry McCarthy, Matt Salisbury, Chris Rushworth
Last Time Out
Durham (402 & 158/1) beat Glamorgan (295 & 263) by nine wickets
Graham Clark’s maiden first-class century & an unbeaten 89 fron Stephen Cook helped Durham to a comfortable nine-wicket win over Glamorgan in June last year.
In reply to Glamorgan’s 295, which included a century for opener Nick Selman & a five-wicket haul for Chris Rushworth, Clark & Paul Collingwood (92) led the reply to hand Durham a first innings lead of 107, of which 68 was down to a fine last wicket stand between Rushworth & Barry McCarthy.
The Welsh county’s response started strongly but Matthew Potts, in only his second first-class match, managed to remove the top three to hand Durham the advantage.
And despite 70 not out from Colin Ingram, McCarthy (4/65) & Rushworth (3/59) chipped away at the rest of the order to leave Durham a potentially tricky target of 157.
However, an opening stand of 129 between Cook & Cameron Steel (51) but the result beyond doubt & the South African opener ended a difficult spell at Emirates Riverside by seeing Durham to victory on his final appearance.
Match Coverage
Live match highlights are available through the ‘Match Highlights’ section of the website, with updates via the Club’s Twitter account.
Live commentary is broadcasted via BBC Sport online with BBC Newcastle’s Martin Emmerson.
A round-up video report from each day will be on the website & across our social media channels shortly after the close of play.